HBO force a sick man to fight

bennie · Post by **bennie** » 25 Dec 2003, 15:04

Francisco Bojado's fight with "Jesse" James Leija scheduled for January 24 in Atlantic City, was cancelled earlier this week when Bojado pulled out with severe flu.
But the fight is now back on according to Bojado's promoter, Main Events.
"He had the flu for four or five days and we cancelled the fight," Carl Moretti, matchmaker for Main Events, said of the 20-year-old fighter. "But then he started to get better, so we re-evaluated things and now the fight is back on again."
Moretti acknowledged that HBO, scheduled to televise the fight as the chief support to the Arturo Gatti-Gianluca Branco WBC title showdown, helped to influence their decision. He said HBO's full slate of boxing for 2004 would have made it difficult to reschedule the event.
"That was part of the reason we reconsidered," Moretti said. "We're pretty sure the fight's going on as planned. We hope to put the word out on Friday."
Lester Bedford, Leija's manager, said as far as he's concerned the fight is on. The contracts, however, are still unsigned, he said.
"We're happy that it's back on," Bedford added. "We think it's a good opportunity for James. Anytime you get a chance to fight on HBO you can't afford to turn it down."
Representatives at HBO were unavailable for comment.

steve689 · Post by **steve689** » 25 Dec 2003, 16:54

I'm not surprised in the least to be honest, we all know that ratings come before anything else especially in America. But then again if they say he is fit enough then we will have to take there word for it i suppose, if he loses then the excuse has already been set in place though

As for the fight itself assuming both men are fit can Bojado beat Lleija? The form book suggests so, Lleija looked poor against Tszyu but i am unsure if he has fought since while Bojado avenged a loss to Carlos Rubio and i hear he looked good. Who wins?

silkov · Post by **silkov** » 25 Dec 2003, 19:23

Only in America eh?!!!......AAAHHHCHHHOOOO!!!!.....

8)

hitman_hatton1 · Post by **hitman_hatton1** » 26 Dec 2003, 07:58

i fancy the young gun bojado to win this and announce himself as a major player on the world scene

leija should be alright the fight is still weeks away no one has flu for that long except for joe calzaghe 8)

the 24th is looking a pretty good card hopefully sky get there cheque books out and get that.

i think branco is going to put up a better show than a lot of people think

steve689 · Post by **steve689** » 26 Dec 2003, 10:00

Sky have missed the boat with Gatti fights in the past so i think they will buy up this one to be honest.

zurdo · Post by **zurdo** » 28 Dec 2003, 04:08

steve689 wrote: As for the fight itself assuming both men are fit can Bojado beat Lleija? The form book suggests so, Lleija looked poor against Tszyu but i am unsure if he has fought since while Bojado avenged a loss to Carlos Rubio and i hear he looked good. Who wins?

you can't count the old vet Lejia out just yet he has a vast edge in experiance he's been in with several hall of fame bound fighters .. and a lot of other guys guys who were much better than Juan Carlos Rubio..

stujones · Post by **stujones** » 28 Dec 2003, 10:36

I still can see Leija good enough to win a geniune world title... Unfortunately, I believe his best opportunity is at Lightweight which I think he could make with ease.

I disagree with Steve, I thought Leija was fairly impressive against one of the top 5 fighters P4P. Okay, perhaps Tszyu had some motivation problems, but still he was fighting in his adopted home for the first time is years. I'm sure he wanted to do a show.

This is an intruging fight, although you've got to fancy Bodajo, he was being hyped in a similar way to Cotto, he's a few years younger and I think it got to his head a little. He's seems to be refocused and he could really be the devision's dark horse.

Its a shame in a way that this fights happening, back to back loses are going to be hard for Leija to come back from. I still think he could win a Lightweight belt and is still worthy of some big fights at the higher weight, but who would want him if he loses to a prospect.

Leija has just signed with Golden boy promotions so I hope Oscar can re market him should he fail next time, because he's still got it and capable of beating the lesser champions such as Grigorian or the IBF champ (whoever that is).

Southpaw Stylist · Post by **Southpaw Stylist** » 28 Dec 2003, 10:43

Javier Jauregui.

stujones · Post by **stujones** » 28 Dec 2003, 10:52

Southpaw Stylist wrote:Javier Jauregui.

Thats the fella Southpaw, he captured the vacant belt only a few weeks ago. Doesn't really seem to be that good at all, he has a big 10 defeats on his record. Indeed, maybe Jason Cook could gun for this guy.

Jauregi has beaten some okay fighters, but they are usually past their best or have been exposed at some point, I didn't see many wins against true top ten fighters, but many defeats against them.

Leija would beat him still for sure.

Southpaw Stylist · Post by **Southpaw Stylist** » 28 Dec 2003, 11:40

Not many belt holders are good anymore.